Cougars Win, 63-0
The Piedmont Academy varsity football team once again had an easy go of it last Friday night, but much tougher competition is waiting in the wings for the Cougars.
Piedmont (3-1 overall) defeated Monsignor Donovan 63-0 last Friday in the 2015 home debut for the Cougars. In the last two week, Piedmont has outscored its opponents 120-0. While it’s often difficult to take much from one-sided contests such as the last two for the Cougars, coach Wes Tanner has been able to get all of his players valuable game experience.
“It was a big thing to get everyone in the game and get everyone a lot of playing time,” Tanner said. “We also had some players back from injury and it was good to get them on the field.”
Last week’s game was over almost as soon as it started. Piedmont led 33-0 after the first quarter on two touchdown runs by Ben Davis, a 47-yard pass from Mack Brady to Michael Edwards, a 43-yard hookup from Brady to Chris McClain and a four-yard run by Noah Quick.
The second quarter provided much of the same for the Cougar offense as Wyatt Galloway hauled in a 59-yard pass from Brady and a 39-yard scoring reception. In between Galloway’s two scores was a 40-yard scoring reception from Brady to Quick.
Davis scored again on a 44-yard run in the third quarter. Sophomore kicker Caitlyn Young then made her first field goal of the season on a 21-yard attempt later in the quarter. Young had already been successful on several extra point attempts this season.
Overall, Brady was 9-of-11 through the air for 282 yards. On the ground, Davis rushed for 121 yards and Quick added 72 yards on eight carries. Galloway had three receptions for 111 yards while McClain made two grabs for 73 yards.
“It was a good week to start fine tuning some things and to try and figure everything out for the next portion of our schedule,” Tanner said.
The task will be much more difficult this week as John Milledge Academy will visit Cougar Field.
The Trojans, coached by former University of Georgia player J.T. Wall, are 4-0 and have not been challenged this season with wins against Trinity Christian-Dublin (43-0), Heritage School (37-7), Bethlehem Christian (57-20) and Brentwood (42-0).
Wall, who is a graduate of JMA, used a power running game similar to what the University of Georgia used under former offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. Wall has been a successful head coach with the Trojans compiling a 45-9 record. His now in his fifth season directing the program.
“We have to play mistake-free football,” Tanner said. “It’s an old coaching adage and one you hear time and time again, but it will be about winning the turnover battle or least breaking even. We have to limit the amount of penalties we have and we have to be good in the kicking game.”
The 2014 matchup between Piedmont and JMA was one of the better regular season contests in the GISA with the Trojans holding on for a 56-42 win. It was the lone loss of the season for the Cougars until the state championship game.
PIEDMONT 63
MONSIGNOR 0
Rushing; B. Davis 9 for 121 N. Quick 8 for 72.
Passing: M. Brady 9-11-0 282.
Receiving: C. McClain 2 for 73 W. Galloway 3 for 111
Players of Week:
•Offense: Mikey Weatherly
•Defense: Chris McCain
•Special Teams: C. Coogler